Red Angel

to an abrupt stop.

Across the room, a woman sat in a chair. She was in her early to mid sixties, and her right arm and shoulder were wrapped in heavy bandages.

Adrianna let out a gasp, then raced to her. She fell at the woman’s feet, and Devlin could hear her voice, broken by sobs, begin a rapid, stuttering, disbelief-filled series of questions. The woman cupped the back of her head with one hand and pulled her against her breast and began to whisper soothingly against her cheek.

“Dr. Maria Mendez,” Devlin said.

Martinez nodded. He was fighting off another smile. “Si, my friend. You are about to meet our beloved Red Angel.” He looked up, eyes twinkling. “When did you realize?”

“Not until I saw your men outside. Then it finally clicked. It was just too much firepower to guard a letter locked in a hidden safe.” He shook his head. “You’re a weasel, Martinez. You had me right up to the last minute. I knew something was phony all along, but I never suspected this.”

Martinez let out a soft laugh. “What is this weasel you are calling me?”

“It’s a sneaky, devious animal. It means you are a royal son of a bitch, Major-or General, or whatever the hell you are.”

Martinez clapped Devlin lightly on the shoulder. “Ah, that is a weasel. Yes, I am all those things. But only when necessary. And this time I assure you it was very necessary to be such a weasel. I could not risk Cabrera finding out that his assassination attempt failed. Even the police officers who came upon the scene were transferred to duties outside the city to make sure the truth would not get back to him.”

“So there was an attempt on her life. That part was real.”

“Oh yes. And it came close to success. The Abakua forced her car from the road, and it burst into flames when it crashed. Fortunately, our Red Angel was thrown from the car. She was found later, still unconscious, when officers stumbled on the scene before the Abakua could finish the task Cabrera had given them.”

“And the body?”

“A friend of our Red Angel. And a most fortuitous event. Except for the fact this woman was killed.” He made an obligatory gesture of regret. “You see, this woman was close to our Red Angel in age and size, and she had no family of her own who might raise questions. Also her body was so badly burned, she could easily be mistaken for the owner of the car.

“When my men realized who the other, unconscious woman was, I was called to the scene, and when I learned the Abakua were involved, I knew it had to be Cabrera’s work, and I immediately ordered the deception.”

“So she’s been hidden here all the time.”

“Yes.”

“Did she know what you were doing? The way you were using her niece?”

Martinez looked horrified. “Oh no. Never.” He glanced across the room. “But I suspect she is learning this now, and that soon I will pay for my sins.”

Devlin turned to the two women. Adrianna was looking at him, tears glistening on her cheeks. He went to them, and knelt before the older woman.

“It’s my aunt,” Adrianna said, barely able to speak the words.

“I know. Martinez just told me what happened.” He reached out and lightly touched the woman’s unbandaged hand. “This is an unexpected pleasure,” he said. “Very unexpected.”

Maria Mendez’s eyes glittered with pleasure. “I, too, am pleased,” she said. “I have heard much about you, but only in letters.” She looked down at his bandaged arm. “I see the intolerable Martinez has put you through much these past days. He is a scoundrel.”

She looked past Devlin, and forced her eyes to harden, but Devlin could tell it was done with effort.

“You will pay for this, Martinez,” she snapped. “Even generals are not immune to my wrath.”

Martinez came across the room, drawing a heavy breath as he approached. “Ah, my beloved Red Angel. It was a necessary pragmatism, only intended to keep you safe.”

Maria Mendez held his eyes in an unrelenting stare. “I have remained safe for sixty-four years without your help. I am sure I could have survived these few days as well. Even in the mountains, with Batista hunting me, I survived. And all of it, when you were sitting on your mother’s knee.” She wagged a finger at him. “You think you must protect me, Arnaldo? You think you are so powerful just because the revolution has made you a general? I think it is time you had a lesson, and learned about my powers.”

“Get him,” Pitts said from behind them. “The man’s a shoofly.”

Martinez ignored him. He raised his hands in a gesture of futility. “I assure you, I have great respect for your powers. We have been friends for many years, and I have watched in fascination as you have tormented members of our government.” He stepped closer, a small smile starting to form. “But I am confident my actions to guarantee your safety will be approved at the highest levels. You are a treasure to our country, Maria.”

Maria Mendez rolled her eyes. She turned to Adrianna. “Listen to this man. He is the father of all scoundrels.”

“But a devoted scoundrel,” Martinez said. “Both to you and to the revolution.”

Maria Mendez reached out and pulled Adrianna to her again. “At least he was not able to kill you all,” she said. “If I had known of his insane plan, I never would have allowed it.”

She glanced past Adrianna’s shoulder. Martinez was still standing before her, and Devlin thought he saw a small smile begin to form on her lips. “Thank you for your protection, Arnaldo. Even if it was unnecessary and overdone.” She paused a moment. “And what have you done with Cabrera?”

Martinez inclined his head to one side. “I am afraid he is no longer with us.”

A cold glint came to Maria Mendez’s eyes, and Devlin realized he was not watching some helpless old woman.

“And that thief Sauri?” she asked.

“He is under house arrest,” Martinez said. “We also have in custody Senor Cipriani, Senor DeForio, and the manoso Rossi, who had hoped to make use of your body.” He raised a finger. “Which reminds me. There is a certain service I believe you can perform for Senor Devlin. If you will permit me, I will arrange it for tomorrow morning.”

“Is this another of your scoundrel’s tricks?” the old woman asked.

“But of course,” Martinez said. “But it is one I think you will enjoy.”

An hour later they were seated in a semicircle about Maria Mendez, listening as she explained how she had learned of the plan to bring gambling to the Isle of Youth.

“I was told of this plan by Manuel Pineiro, who once ran our intelligence service. He was very concerned, and believed something very wrong, perhaps even corrupt, was happening.” She shook her head. “But he was retired for many years, and no longer had strong contacts in the Ministry of Interior. He said they just brushed his concerns aside.” Her eyes hardened. “And then, of course, he was killed. In an ‘automobile accident.’” She shook her head. “I did not even suspect he had been murdered. So I went to Sauri, who I knew, and expressed my opposition.”

“What did he do?” Adrianna asked.

“At first he tried to bribe me,” she said, laughing. “He said the government would add a condition to the plan-a demand that the foreign developers build and endow a children’s hospital on the Isla de la Juventud.” She held up one hand like a traffic cop. “This made me suspicious. Sauri had always opposed all my efforts to draw money away from the revolution’s grand projects.” She waved her hand in a broad circle. “And to use that money for our deteriorating health programs.” She wagged a finger. “Now, suddenly, the health needs of the people were important, and he wanted to include them in his plan. It was a miracle. And it smelled like old fish. That is when I went to Martinez and told him he must investigate.”

“And that,” Martinez added, “was when I learned that Cabrera’s men had put our Red Angel under strict surveillance.”

“And then you started to tumble to the rest of their plans,” Devlin said.

“Yes,” Martinez said. “But before I had adequate proof, they moved against her.” He nodded toward Maria Mendez, momentary relief flooding his eyes. Then it was gone as he hardened himself against any display of sentiment. “The rest, of course, you know,” he added.